The Parkway three was part of the origional Parkway Plaza mall. The mall still stands,now another Westfield Shopping Town. The threatre was located on the southeast corner of the structure, where Jc Pennys is today. The Parkway three closed in the early 90’s durring a renovation/expansion project.
Shortly, another thaetre in El Cajon opened on Magnolia the Kirkorian. Now, also closed, it was open for roughly 10 years until the new Parkway Plaza 20 plex opened in 99'.

Chuck Fee – The SRO Parkway Three was NOT the theatre that you’re thinking of. You’re thinking of the UA Cinemas-El Cajon, a different triplex which was once part of Parkway Plaza—and one of San Diego County’s first multiplexes. The Parkway Three, the theatre described on this page, was not located at Parkway Plaza but nearby on Fletcher Parkway in an outdoor strip mall dominated by the Parkway Bowl bowling alley. UA El Cajon (at Parkway Plaza) was gone by 1990 and SRO Parkway Three closed soon eafter.

This house opened as the Parkway Twin in early 1973. It was located on the former site of the Parkway Bowl, according to Boxoffice of February 5 that year. The original configuration was one auditorium seating 242 and a second auditorium seating 484. Boxoffice gave the address as 1280 Fletcher Parkway.

The Parkway Bowl (1280) did indeed predate the “Three” by just over a decade. The theater (1286) was added to the western end of the property in 1973. Just prior to the opening of the United Artists 1-2 & 3 Parkway Plaza (official name – and strangely not represented here) down the street. If I’m not mistaken, I believe you could actually enter the bowling alley from the theater lobby (and vice versa).

I worked at this theater late 1973-1974 for Mr. Pern(?)who was our manager then. Good man. I ushered & worked behind the snackbar. Earned enough to buy parents' 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass! My first job, except babysitting. Friend got me the job.